July 2002 - Faculty of Business and Law - Victoria University

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A group of postgraduates from the School of HTM is working news towards formalising an Alumni Chapter within VU Alumni Let us know where you are and what you are doing. Contact: Jane Odgers on jane.odgers@vu.edu.au Louisa Watkins TRANSFER BROADENS Louisa Watkins is one of an increasing number of people advancing careers through further education. 10 KNOWLEDGE She did not find an initial brief flirtation with an Arts degree fully satisfying so applied for and secured entry into the vocationally oriented Academy Sofitel. “Academy Sofitel presented an amazing opportunity to gain broad exposure to the industry in a five-star setting. “I commenced Certificate III in Hospitality - Food and Beverage at the beginning of 2000 and gained a position in the Atrium/Sofis team working in the cocktail lounge – both on the floor and in the bar,” she said. Louisa has since completed Certificate IV and rotated through various positions at Hotel Sofitel Melbourne, but believed that her career prospects would be enhanced if she undertook a Bachelor of Business – Hospitality Management degree. “This is my second year of study at the university, taking advantage of the accelerated course offered via my articulation from Academy Sofitel. “I am currently looking at overseas options for Co-op. I feel that international experience will be beneficial to my career prospects. “I am yet to make any firm decision about my future career, but I feel that in the long term I will remain with Accor, as the international career prospects are endless,” Louisa says. Palazzo Versace HOSPITALITY BY DESIGN CO-OP STUDENTS IN OVERDRIVE The RACV Club is one of the most enthusiastic supporters of Co-op, providing paid work experience for students over many years. The RACV Club’s Human Relations Officer, Chloe Lloyd, says students typically work with the Club for twelve to 14 months, learning all aspects of the Club management and catering business. “It is an excellent opportunity for us to engage talented people and take a look at the potential of prospective employees,” she says. A highlight of the Co-op year for recent interns, Suzanne Williams and Kathryn Zammitt (pictured above with RACV Club and VU staff), was organising the annual dinner recognising the RACV Club’s apprentices and trainees. Kathryn’s tour of duty with RACV began in January 2001 at the organisation’s Healesville Country Club, where she spent about eight weeks. She has spent her time at the city club in accounts, human resources, front office and membership. She plans to pursue a career in human resources management. Suzanne joined RACV in December 2000 and has worked in human resources, accounts, special events, front office, kitchen, club bar, concierge and coffee lounge. Both are back at the School of HTM this year completing their courses (Kathryn: BBus Hospitality and Tourism Management; Suzanne: BBus Catering and Hotel Management). Versace denotes uniqueness. That Australia’s Gold Coast should host the first hotel designed by one of Europe’s leading fashion houses is also surprising. Whether the Palazzo Versace venture is an outstanding success has, to some extent, been left in the hands of School of HTM graduate, Avril Jones. Avril is Business Development Manager for the hotel, marketing it to discerning travellers in UK/Europe, North America and the southern Australian states. Naturally, first impressions of Avril’s job description and employer communicate “GLAMOUR!”. She concedes that it isn’t at all bad. “It is always a pleasure to host clients in such a beautiful hotel and to see the lobby in the evening with the tea candles lit and guests being served exquisite canapés by the well-presented and professional team. It really is a pleasant experience. It makes you appreciate what a wonderful job you have,” says Avril. But life is not all champagne and canapés. When Avril helped with the hotel launch, she spent the previous night making beds and filling minibars. “I have certainly met some interesting people in this job. Probably the most interesting are the ones that link back to Versace. They are all so creative and quite inspirational,” she says. Avril describes the target markets for Palazzo Versace as quite broad, although there are obviously some key niche markets for this type of property. She spends a substantial amount of time developing joint marketing and communications strategies with industry partners like Tourism Queensland and the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau. Professional Conference Organisers and Convention Organisers are also key targets. One highlight of her career to date was her recent presentation to Versace’s Bond Street staff in London, who she describes as very friendly and “lots of fun”. Avril graduated with a Bachelor of Business (Catering and Hotel Management) in 1990. Her Palazzo Versace position is the most recent of several positions she has held over the past twelve years. Previous employers have included AAT Kings, Jetset and Southern Pacific Hotels (now Six Continents). Avril Jones
SUNBURY CELEBRATION Top honours to Olga Kostrevski and Mark Veliscek, pictured here with Prof. Brian King (centre), two Marketing Honours students who this year achieved outstanding results to receive our inaugural honours scholarship to undertake further study. Where are they NOW? Brendan Halloran (B Bus Travel & Tourism Mgmt, 2002) Market Analyst, Research Unit, Tourism Victoria, Melbourne Alison Chalk (B Bus Tourism Mgmt,1998) Event Team, The Mansion Hotel at Werribee Park, Werribee Melinda Anderson (Masters Tourism Management,1999) Acting Executive Director, Ballarat Tourism, Ballarat Jacqui Charlton (B Bus Travel & Tourism Management, 2001) Online Communications Coordinator, Tourism Victoria, Melbourne Greg Hooton (Masters, Tourism Management (1991) Director, Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, Melbourne Susie Brown (Masters Tourism Management, 1999) Lecturer, Swinburne University of Technology, Lilydale Adelia Ratih Guest Relations Assistant Manager, C’s Restaurant, Grand Hyatt, Jakarta Susanne Vergers (B Bus Catering & Hotel Mgmt, 1989) Organisational Development, Job Futures and Open Employment, Byron Bay Alison Duff-Tyler (B Bus Tourism Mgmt, 2000) Tour Consultant, Coach Tours of Australia, Sunbury It’s many years since Billie Thorpe and the Aztecs wowed the crowd at Sunbury, but the satellite suburb to Melbourne’s north still rocks as some of our recent graduates celebrate moves into exciting marketing positions. Bronwyn Hunt (pictured on the left) is promoting events and entertainers with Mollison Consulting in South Melbourne. She says she cannot begin to describe her working day, as the variety makes an ordinary day at the office a rare event. Some concept of the excitement is reflected in Mollison’s client list, which includes Edgley CONTINUES International, Luna Park, The Production Company, the Geelong Performing Arts Centre, NICA and Playbox. Bronwyn has recently been promoting the Moscow Circus and Luna Park. Bronwyn’s fellow graduate Amber Fouracre is also gainfully employed having taken a marketing graduate position with communications equipment company, Upstream Technology. Joh McIntosh is now permanently employed in the marketing department of The Shaver Shop. COOL AS ICE I.C.E. Imagine Create Enjoy. Graduate Saxon Mitchell has lived on the strength of those words since 1999 and the success of Saxon and his partners in ICE Events was evident at the Victoria University Alumni Ball in April. Saxon describes ICE Events as a diversified hospitality company. This year, he merged the business with David Southwick Entertainment and Soda Pop to offer specialised entertainment services under one roof. The company created a spectacular mix of entertainment, catering and staffing for the Alumni Ball, including a specific menu tailored to the Sideshow Carnival theme of the event. “ICE Events creates programs in tune with the client’s vision. It provides clients with a dedicated project manager to consult on all aspects of event production and management,” Saxon says. Saxon graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Business – Catering and Hotel Management. His e-mail is saxonm@iceevents.net.au.
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July 2002 - Faculty of Business and Law - Victoria University

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